Safeway members vote 97% in favour of strike action.

Attention: Agriculture Editor, City Editor, Food/Beverage Editor, News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor
WINNIPEG/ MANITOBA/ PRESS RELEASE--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2009) - Safeway members from across the province voted February 22 on whether to accept or reject the company's offer and to vote for a strike.

Lead negotiator and UFCW Local 832 President Robert Ziegler presented the items agreed to and the remaining outstanding items to the Safeway members at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Sunday evening.

"I am asking you to endorse the negotiating committee's recommendation to turn down the company's offer and give us the strike mandate we need to get you a decent contract," stated Ziegler.

The members listened and overwhelmingly turned down the offer and handed the negotiating committee a 97% strike mandate to take to the table for the final two weeks of bargaining set to resume March 2.